September 16, 2026
Day 6:
Today felt a bit heavier which goes with the territory of a care conference.
Tate ran low grade temps off and on and we got after a crisis episode early with IV meds.
Care conference anticipation always leaves me with a bit of anxiety. There typically ends up being more people there than originally planned which actually speaks to what a great team Tate has. Today’s conference was focused on both the chronic changes we’re seeing as well as the newer acute episodes Tate is having. She’ll have a sleep study, a c spine MRI to look at the surgical site where her tumor was removed this past February, potentially an LP (spinal tap,) and labs to see just how much Tate is (or isn’t) absorbing for her GI meds. Tate’s sweet nurse, Tayla, attended to sit by my side and offer a perspective only nursing has. She was the one who straightened the timeline from last winter with all the spinal tumor business. She offered insight on the change in Tates pain which shaped further testing. Again, so grateful. I’m afraid to miss someone because Tate’s nurses are our human center here. Grateful everyday for them.
I actually strangely feel a lot of unease surrounding some of these tests. I don’t like what we’ve been seeing. I feel concerned for what we may find but also worried that we find nothing recognizable and lose direction altogether. We are hoping for a schedule in the next day. The goal is to get this all done inpatient, but the sleep study may have to be done outpatient.
I’ve seen a lot of emotion out of Tate today too. Mostly I think we’re just feeling wary and worn down.
The photo of Tate with the pups was taken the morning we were admitted. Bella (the dog in Tate’s lap,) is almost 17 and really started to struggle with pain over the last couple of weeks. We’ve worked with the vet and tried various things but her pain continues to progress. With lots of tears, Tate agreed that it was time to say goodbye. That was supposed to happen last Saturday. As we’re still in the hospital, Bella is holding out for Tate to get home. Bella is Tate’s sidekick and the anticipation surrounding this for Tate has been pretty tough. Keira and Drew are keeping Bella as comfortable as possible until we can get home to say goodbye.